A/N: First off, I apologize for being dormant for so long. Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans, as the saying goes. I can only agree with that. I haven't been feeling well and been battling my bipolar disorder practically all autumn.

It's better now in any case and I hope this chapter makes up for my long absence. Fair warning - it's one of the reasons why this story is rated mature ;)

Happy reading!

Claire

Every impression was a blur to me the next few minutes, except Caius' cold lips against my own, his tongue dancing with mine, his soft hair in my hands, his purrs in my ear …

Somehow Caius must have gotten us back to the bedroom, because I found myself lying on my back against the plush cushions with Caius above me, one of his hands cupping my cheek, and the other dragging down the neckline on my dress as he started spreading feather light kisses along my neck and collarbones.

I let out an embarrassing sounding whimper, digging my fingers into his scalp. This elicited a growl from him, which made my heart clench.

Caius looked up at me, his eyes completely black and kissed me again. "Amare … principessa mia .. mine … mine!"

"Yours," I assured him. "Only yours, my king."

When I uttered those word he stilled and looked up at me again. His eyes had gone even blacker, if such a thing was possible. "What did you say?"

I blushed. "My king … my vampire king. My conqueror. My powerful warrior …"

Caius practically roared and dove on me again, kissing me fiercely, our tongues battling for dominance, yet he won. What else could be expected?

Then he looked at me again. "I know you aren't ready to mate yet, my love. But would you be willing to let me … express my love for you in another way?"

I frowned, not really understanding what he meant. He smirked at me, a glint of evil back in his eyes. "There are lots of games we still can play, without going all the way, cara mia."

I blushed again. I didn't know exactly what he would choose to do to me, but I had a bit of a hunch what kind of games he was talking about. I may have been a virgin but I wasn't clueless.

"Do you trust me, cara mia?" Caius asked.

The mere thought of what he might do to me made my breath hitch from excitement and I nodded. I did trust Caius – with my life. And I wanted this.

Caius grinned at my nod and raised my arms above my head. With a swift movement he took off my dress and the slip beneath it, leaving me in my underwear, stockings, and boots.

He made another small growl at the sight. "You truly are magnifica, principessa," he murmured. "But I think I would like to go further."

He took off my boots and tossed them to the side of the bed and then gestured to my bra. "May I?"

I hesitated at first but then I nodded again. And when he opened my bra (which fastened in the front) I let out a moan as I felt his cold hands against my warm flesh. Perhaps I should feel embarrassed but I wasn't. This was Caius – my mate.

I arched my back, wanting to feel his hands on me with another whimper and he smiled down at me.

"Cosí bella, amore mio," Caius whispered and bent his head over my chest, kissing one of my breasts as he took the other in his hand, squeezing it gently.

"You want more, tesoro?"

I nodded fervently. "Yes!"

Caius tsked at me. "Who am I, cara mia?" he asked me as he let his cold tongue dance over my nipple, making me gasp.

"My king!" I panted out. "More, please, my king!"

That made him growl again. "And more you shall have, principessa!"

He started kissing down between my breasts and all the way down my torso until he came down to my panties.

Gently he stroke a finger over them, nearly making me squeal. "These are damp, amare. I think it's best if I take them off."

Caius chuckled at me as my eyes widened at his teasing and dragged my panties down, tossing them somewhere below the bed.

I closed my eyes, breathing heavily as Caius inspected me and then lowered his head, tasting me.

I couldn't help myself – I screamed. Which only made him chuckle again.

"That's right my love. Let everyone know who's giving you pleasure. That I am your king."

He sucked on my clit, making my arch my back and scream again. "Caius … Caius … more!"

"Yes," he hissed. "You do taste like the nectar of the gods, amare. Ambrosia."

He growled against my mound and started lapping at me, like a starved man. It was nothing like I had ever felt before. Not even when I touched myself or used my vibrating egg. His cold tongue against my heated flesh … it was everything.

"Caius!"

No one's point of view

Aro calmly walked in the corridor on his way to Caius' bedchamber. In his hand he had Claire's present – the Supernatural box he ordered earlier. Of course he could afford express shipping.

As he came upon the right door he stopped short. By the panting breaths and growls sounding from inside he immediately understood what his brother and that ones mate were doing. And he suspected Caius would rip his head off if he interrupted them again.

He giggled quietly to himself and put the box down by the door, quickly jotting down a note he left on top of it.

I'm looking forward to testing out your ability, Claire. And welcome to the Volturi – Aro & Marcus.

Then, he hastily removed himself, before Caius realized he was outside.

Claire was panting, a fine sheen of sweat covering her body as she moaned once more when Caius' chilled and skillful tongue flicked her clit back and forth.

She was grabbing her own breasts without even realizing it, bucking her hips to get closer. Caius was torturing her! He would drive her almost to the edge and then suddenly stop all motions with his tongue and fingers, only blowing cold air over her damp sex. It was too much and not yet enough at the same time!

She tried to bring him back by pulling at his hair, but it was fruitless. He was a vampire – and this was the game he wanted to play with her.

"Caius … Caius, please!"

"Who am I?" Caius asked sternly, nipping her thigh, making her jerk.

"My king! Please, my king, please, please, please!"

Caius purred in delight at her words. "Ask your king, and you shall receive, principessa," he snarled and lowered his head again. This time he didn't stop – his tongue entered her while his thumb rubbed at her clit in the same rhythm as he thrust his tongue in and out of her, making her scream like a banshee.

No words, she simply didn't have any, just the rapture she couldn't contain. And then … then … ecstasy.

Even her voice failed her when her climax hit. Her mouth hung open in a silent scream as all her muscles stiffened and her back arched nearly to the impossible.

Then she sank down on the mattress, totally limp until she could feel Caius' tongue once again lap at her oversensitive sex.

"Too … much!" she stuttered out and pushed a bit at his head. He laughed at that and pressed a kiss to her mound before moving up and lying down beside her.

"Are you alright, cara mia?" he gently wondered as he pulled the covers over his mate's nearly naked body, and pulled her into his arms.

"Yes," Claire mumbled, totally spent from the hormonal rollercoaster her orgasm had brought her. "It … it was amazing, Caius … but … what about you?"

Caius chuckled and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Don't worry about me, principessa. As I said before, I wanted to do this for you, to show you my love. Your reactions … that was reward enough."

Claire couldn't help but giggle a bit. "I wish I could return the favor … but you wore me out."

Caius smiled down at her, kissing her nose. "Don't worry about that. Now, rest cara mia."

Claire nodded and yawned, snuggling against his body. "I love you, Caius," she mumbled into his chest, nearly asleep.

"Ti amo anche tesoro," Caius whispered back, tightening his arms around her.

Italian translation:

Principessa mia: My princess

Magnifica: Magnificent

Cosí bella: So beautiful

Ti amo anche tesoro: I love you too, darling.